Solar sewage evaporation processor and preparation method and application thereof
A photothermal cigarette filter evaporator was prepared by combining modified cigarette filters and waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon with anatase TiO2. This solved the problems of high cost and poor stability of existing solar wastewater evaporators, achieving efficient wastewater treatment and resource regeneration, and is suitable for large-scale production.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing solar-powered wastewater evaporators suffer from problems such as high cost of photothermal material preparation, strong resource dependence, unreasonable pore structure, poor stability, and easy heat loss, making it difficult to achieve efficient wastewater treatment. Furthermore, waste is not utilized at a high value, and the device assembly design is unreasonable.
A photothermal cigarette filter evaporator was prepared by combining modified cigarette filters and waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon with anatase TiO2. The hydrophilicity and structural strength of the material were improved through modification treatment, and a rectangular array assembly method was adopted to achieve uniform loading of functional powders.
It achieves efficient wastewater evaporation and pollutant degradation, reduces preparation costs, improves photothermal conversion efficiency and steam conversion efficiency, solves the problems of resource waste and environmental pollution, and is suitable for large-scale production.
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of wastewater treatment and solar energy utilization technology, specifically relating to a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, its preparation method, and its application. Background Technology
[0002] The global water shortage and water pollution problems are becoming increasingly serious. Industrial wastewater such as textile wastewater contains recalcitrant organic pollutants, making it difficult and costly to treat. Traditional wastewater treatment technologies such as biochemical methods and membrane separation methods have problems such as high energy consumption, complex equipment, easy generation of secondary pollution, and high operation and maintenance costs, making them difficult to apply in small-scale, outdoor, and power-free scenarios.
[0003] Solar-driven wastewater evaporation technology has become a research hotspot for low-cost wastewater treatment due to its use of clean energy and simple equipment. However, its core photothermal evaporation materials have many drawbacks: existing photothermal materials mostly use precious metals or artificially synthesized nanomaterials, which have high preparation costs and strong resource dependence; some materials have unreasonable pore structures, making it difficult to balance hydrophilicity and photothermal conversion efficiency, resulting in low wastewater evaporation rates and weak pollutant adsorption and degradation capabilities; most evaporation devices have poor stability, are prone to corrosion and failure in acidic and alkaline wastewater environments, and have poor recycling performance, making it difficult to realize practical applications.
[0004] Meanwhile, large amounts of solid waste such as waste polyester fabrics and cigarette filters accumulate, causing resource waste and environmental pollution. Globally, over 230 million tons of consumer textiles and approximately 800,000 tons of discarded cigarette butts are discarded annually, but only about 20% of these waste textiles are recycled. Moreover, existing recycling methods mostly involve simple landfilling or incineration, resulting in low resource utilization rates. There is still no effective technology to transform these wastes into high-performance solar thermal evaporation materials. Existing solar wastewater evaporators also suffer from unreasonable device assembly design, with loose bonding between the thermal material and the supporting structure, leading to easy heat loss and further reducing solar-steam conversion efficiency. Therefore, a new type of solar wastewater evaporation processor is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention
[0005] To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention aims to provide a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, its preparation method, and its application. Specifically, it includes the following:
[0006] A method for preparing a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, characterized in that the method includes the following steps:
[0007] Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters
[0008] Weigh 800 mg ~ 1500 mg PVA into a beaker and add 100 ml ~ 500 ml of deionized water. Heat in a water bath and stir until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution. After the PVA solution is fully absorbed, take it out and freeze dry to obtain the modified cigarette filter.
[0009] Step 2: Preparation of waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon
[0010] Waste polyester fabric was immersed in ZnCl2 aqueous solution for activation treatment, and the activated waste polyester fabric was dried. The dried waste polyester fabric was transferred to a tube furnace and pyrolyzed with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen atmosphere was maintained and cooled to room temperature. The fabric was then removed and ground into powder to obtain activated carbon samples with high specific surface area.
[0011] Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder
[0012] Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder.
[0013] Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator
[0014] Weigh 800 mg to 1500 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 200 ml to 500 ml of isopropanol and 10 ml to 50 ml of deionized water, sonicate to disperse it evenly, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution, take it out and dry it to obtain a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator.
[0015] Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor
[0016] The photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers are strung together in a rectangular array, thus completing all the manufacturing steps.
[0017] Furthermore, in step 1, the water bath heating temperature is 50℃~100℃, and the stirring is carried out for 3 h~5 h.
[0018] Furthermore, in step 2, the concentration of the ZnCl2 aqueous solution is 10 wt% to 30 wt%.
[0019] Furthermore, in step 4, the ultrasonic time is 10 min to 40 min, and the soaking time is 5 min to 15 min.
[0020] The present invention also relates to a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, which is prepared using the above method.
[0021] A solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor is used in seawater desalination, textile wastewater degradation, and pretreatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions.
[0022] Beneficial effects
[0023] The solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor of the present invention has the following advantages:
[0024] 1. Resource recycling and low cost: Using waste polyester fabric (WPF) and waste cellulose acetate cigarette filters (CF) as the main raw materials, it realizes the high-value utilization of solid waste, significantly reduces the preparation cost of photothermal evaporation materials, and alleviates the environmental pollution problem of waste, thus achieving both economic and environmental benefits; the raw materials are widely available and suitable for large-scale production and promotion.
[0025] 2. Excellent performance and synergistic treatment: Activated carbon prepared by carbonization and activation of waste polyester fabric is combined with anatase TiO2 to form a functional powder, which has the functions of efficient photothermal conversion, adsorption and photocatalytic degradation. Combined with the porous structure of modified cigarette filters, it can realize the adsorption and degradation of organic pollutants (such as methylene blue) in wastewater and water evaporation at the same time, resulting in high wastewater treatment efficiency. The composite functional material is tightly bonded to the modified substrate, with high light absorption efficiency, which effectively improves the evaporation rate per unit area and the solar-steam conversion efficiency.
[0026] 3. Reasonable structure and high heat utilization: The rectangular array assembly method provides a large heating area, improves space utilization, realizes capillary transport and efficient evaporation of water, and optimizes the mass and heat transfer process.
[0027] 4. Simple preparation process and strong operability: The entire preparation process uses conventional instruments and equipment. The modification, carbonization, composite and impregnation processes are simple and controllable. The impregnation method achieves uniform loading of functional powder on the substrate surface. The device assembly method is convenient and easy to industrialize and apply. Attached Figure Description
[0028] Figure 1(a) is a schematic diagram of the evaporation rate experimental device in this invention; Figure 1(b) is a schematic diagram of the evaporation rate of the test evaporator in this invention; Figure 1(c) is a schematic diagram of the average evaporation rate of the evaporator in this invention; Figure 1(d) is a comparison diagram of the evaporation rates of this invention and different photothermal materials.
[0029] Figure 2(a) is a schematic diagram of the liquid absorbance before and after purification in this invention; Figure 2(b) is a schematic diagram of the concentration of different concentrations of methylene blue before and after purification in this invention;
[0030] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall assembly structure of the solar wastewater evaporator of the present invention, which is designed as an evaporator array of 18*8. Detailed Implementation
[0031] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.
[0032] The present invention discloses a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor and its preparation method, comprising the following steps:
[0033] Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters
[0034] Weigh 800 mg to 1500 mg of PVA into a beaker and add 100 ml to 500 ml of deionized water. Heat in a water bath at 50°C to 100°C and stir for 3 to 5 hours until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution to fully absorb the PVA solution. Remove the filter and freeze dry it in a freeze dryer to obtain the modified cigarette filter.
[0035] The purpose of this step is to improve the structural strength and hydrophilicity of cigarette filters, laying the foundation for subsequent loading of functional powders.
[0036] Step 2: Preparation of waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon
[0037] Waste polyester fabric was activated by immersing it in a 10 wt%–30 wt% ZnCl2 aqueous solution, allowing ZnCl2 to fully penetrate the fabric. The activated fabric was then placed in an oven to thoroughly remove moisture and ensure effective activation. The dried fabric was then loaded into a ceramic boat and transferred to a tube furnace. Nitrogen gas was continuously introduced into the furnace as a protective gas to prevent oxidation during pyrolysis. After pyrolysis, the nitrogen atmosphere was maintained, and the sample was allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The sample was then removed and ground into a uniform powder to obtain activated carbon samples with a high specific surface area.
[0038] Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder
[0039] Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample prepared above at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder with photothermal conversion, adsorption and photocatalytic properties. This ratio achieves synergistic optimization of the high adsorption capacity of activated carbon and the photocatalytic and photothermal properties of TiO2.
[0040] Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator
[0041] Weigh 800 mg to 1500 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 200 ml to 500 ml of isopropanol and 10 ml to 50 ml of deionized water, and sonicate for 10 min to 40 min to disperse it evenly. Then, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution for 5 min to 15 min, remove it and dry it. Repeat this process three times to ensure that the composite powder is evenly and firmly loaded on the surface of the modified cigarette filter, thus obtaining a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator.
[0042] Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor
[0043] Connect the photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers obtained in the previous step into a rectangular array. This completes all the manufacturing steps.
[0044] Example 1
[0045] This embodiment of a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor and its preparation method includes the following steps:
[0046] Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters
[0047] Weigh 800 mg PVA into a beaker and add 100 ml of deionized water. Heat in a 50°C water bath and stir for 3 h until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution to fully absorb the PVA solution. Remove the filter and freeze dry it in a freeze dryer to obtain the modified cigarette filter.
[0048] The purpose of this step is to improve the structural strength and hydrophilicity of cigarette filters, laying the foundation for subsequent loading of functional powders.
[0049] Step 2: Preparation of waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon
[0050] Waste polyester fabric was activated by immersing it in a 10 wt% ZnCl2 aqueous solution, allowing ZnCl2 to fully penetrate the fabric. The activated fabric was then placed in an oven to thoroughly remove moisture and ensure effective activation. The dried fabric was then loaded into a ceramic boat and transferred to a tube furnace. Nitrogen gas was continuously introduced into the furnace as a protective gas to prevent oxidation during pyrolysis. After pyrolysis, the nitrogen atmosphere was maintained, and the sample was allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The sample was then removed and ground into a uniform powder to obtain activated carbon samples with a high specific surface area.
[0051] Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder
[0052] Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample prepared above at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder with photothermal conversion, adsorption and photocatalytic properties. This ratio achieves synergistic optimization of the high adsorption capacity of activated carbon and the photocatalytic and photothermal properties of TiO2.
[0053] Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator
[0054] Weigh 800 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 200 ml of isopropanol and 10 ml of deionized water, and sonicate for 10 min to disperse it evenly. Then, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution for 5 min, remove it and dry it. Repeat this process three times to ensure that the composite powder is evenly and firmly loaded on the surface of the modified cigarette filter, thus obtaining a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator.
[0055] Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor
[0056] Connect the photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers obtained in the previous step into a rectangular array. This completes all the manufacturing steps.
[0057] Performance Analysis
[0058] The specific operating steps for evaporation performance analysis are as follows:
[0059] The WPF / CF composite evaporator was placed in small beakers containing different solutions, and water evaporation experiments were conducted using a solar simulator at room temperature (15°C) and humidity (25.2% RH). Figure 1a The intensity of sunlight was adjusted by changing the current of the solar simulator, and calibrated using a power meter. The mass loss in the beaker was measured using an electronic balance, and the evaporation rate was calculated under both light and dark conditions. The test results are as follows: Figure 1b As shown. Under these conditions, the evaporation rate of the WPF / CF composite evaporator is 4.98 kg / (m²). 2 It has excellent evaporation performance, rapid heating, and good stability.
[0060] Example 2
[0061] The solar-powered wastewater evaporator and its preparation method in this embodiment include the following steps:
[0062] Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters
[0063] Weigh 1500 mg PVA into a beaker and add 500 ml of deionized water. Heat in a 100°C water bath and stir for 5 h until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution to fully absorb the PVA solution. Remove the filter and freeze dry it in a freeze dryer to obtain the modified cigarette filter.
[0064] The purpose of this step is to improve the structural strength and hydrophilicity of cigarette filters, laying the foundation for subsequent loading of functional powders.
[0065] Step 2: Preparation of waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon
[0066] Waste polyester fabric was activated by immersing it in a 30 wt% ZnCl2 aqueous solution, allowing ZnCl2 to fully penetrate the fabric. The activated fabric was then placed in an oven to thoroughly remove moisture and ensure effective activation. The dried fabric was then loaded into a ceramic boat and transferred to a tube furnace. Nitrogen gas was continuously introduced into the furnace as a protective gas to prevent oxidation during pyrolysis. After pyrolysis, the nitrogen atmosphere was maintained, and the sample was allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The sample was then removed and ground into a uniform powder to obtain activated carbon samples with a high specific surface area.
[0067] Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder
[0068] Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample prepared above at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder with photothermal conversion, adsorption and photocatalytic properties. This ratio achieves synergistic optimization of the high adsorption capacity of activated carbon and the photocatalytic and photothermal properties of TiO2.
[0069] Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator
[0070] Weigh 1500 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 500 ml of isopropanol and 50 ml of deionized water, and sonicate for 40 min to disperse it evenly. Then, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution for 15 min, remove it and dry it. Repeat this process three times to ensure that the composite powder is evenly and firmly loaded on the surface of the modified cigarette filter, thus obtaining a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator.
[0071] Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor
[0072] Connect the photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers obtained in the previous step into a rectangular array. This completes all the manufacturing steps.
[0073] Example 3
[0074] The solar-powered wastewater evaporator and its preparation method in this embodiment include the following steps:
[0075] Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters
[0076] Weigh 1000 mg PVA into a beaker and add 150 ml of deionized water. Heat in an 80°C water bath and stir for 4 hours until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution to fully absorb the PVA solution. Remove the filter and freeze dry it in a freeze dryer to obtain the modified cigarette filter.
[0077] The purpose of this step is to improve the structural strength and hydrophilicity of cigarette filters, laying the foundation for subsequent loading of functional powders.
[0078] Step 2: Preparation of waste polyester fabric-based activated carbon
[0079] Waste polyester fabric was activated by immersing it in a 15wt% ZnCl2 aqueous solution, allowing ZnCl2 to fully penetrate the fabric. The activated fabric was then placed in an oven to thoroughly remove moisture and ensure effective activation. The dried fabric was then loaded into a ceramic boat and transferred to a tube furnace. Nitrogen gas was continuously introduced into the furnace as a protective gas to prevent oxidation during pyrolysis. After pyrolysis, the nitrogen atmosphere was maintained, and the sample was allowed to cool naturally to room temperature. The sample was then removed and ground into a uniform powder to obtain activated carbon samples with a high specific surface area.
[0080] Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder
[0081] Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample prepared above at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder with photothermal conversion, adsorption and photocatalytic properties. This ratio achieves synergistic optimization of the high adsorption capacity of activated carbon and the photocatalytic and photothermal properties of TiO2.
[0082] Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator
[0083] Weigh 1000 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 300 ml of isopropanol and 20 ml of deionized water, and sonicate for 30 min to disperse it evenly. Then, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution for 10 min, remove it and dry it. Repeat this process three times to ensure that the composite powder is evenly and firmly loaded on the surface of the modified cigarette filter, thus obtaining a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator.
[0084] Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor
[0085] Connect the photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers obtained in the previous step into a rectangular array. This completes all the manufacturing steps.
[0086] Wastewater treatment performance test
[0087] The methylene blue removal rate test includes the following steps:
[0088] Methylene blue (MB) was selected as a simulated pollutant, and its wastewater treatment performance was tested under simulated sunlight (1 solar intensity, 1000 W / m²). After solar thermal purification, the strong absorption peak of methylene blue almost completely disappeared, indicating that there was almost no residual organic matter in the purified water. Figure 2a This demonstrates the enormous potential of evaporators in water purification. The evaporator achieved a 99.99% removal rate of methylene blue across a concentration gradient of 0-100 mg / L. Figure 2b (2c), which fully demonstrates its excellent pollutant removal capability over a wide concentration range.
[0089] In addition, purification tests were conducted on other commonly used dyes, antibiotics, and industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions, and the results showed that the evaporator also has a good ability to treat these pollutants.
[0090] The above description of the present invention is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the implementation of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can easily make corresponding modifications or alterations based on the main concept and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of protection claimed in the claims.
Claims
1. A method for preparing a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: Step 1: Preparation of modified cigarette filters Weigh 800 mg ~ 1500 mg PVA into a beaker and add 100 ml ~ 500 ml of deionized water. Heat in a water bath and stir until the PVA is completely dissolved. After cooling to room temperature, immerse the cigarette filter in the PVA solution. After the PVA solution is fully absorbed, take it out and freeze dry to obtain the modified cigarette filter. Step 2: Preparation of activated carbon based on waste polyester fabric Waste polyester fabric was immersed in ZnCl2 aqueous solution for activation treatment, and the activated waste polyester fabric was dried. The dried waste polyester fabric was transferred to a tube furnace and pyrolyzed with nitrogen gas. The nitrogen atmosphere was maintained and cooled to room temperature. The fabric was then removed and ground into powder to obtain activated carbon samples with high specific surface area. Step 3: Preparation of composite functional powder Anatase TiO2 was ground and then thoroughly mixed with the activated carbon sample at a ratio of 1:1 to obtain a composite functional powder. Step 4: Preparation of the photothermal cigarette filter evaporator Weigh 800 mg to 1500 mg of composite powder into a beaker, add 200 ml to 500 ml of isopropanol and 10 ml to 50 ml of deionized water, sonicate to disperse it evenly, immerse the modified cigarette filter in the solution, take it out and dry it to obtain a photothermal cigarette filter evaporator. Step 5: Assemble the solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor The photothermal cigarette filter vaporizers are strung together in a rectangular array, thus completing all the manufacturing steps.
2. The method for preparing a solar-powered wastewater evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 1, the water bath heating temperature is 50℃~100℃, and the stirring time is 3 h~5 h.
3. The method for preparing a solar-powered wastewater evaporator according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 2, the concentration of the ZnCl2 aqueous solution is 10 wt% to 30 wt%.
4. The method for preparing a solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor according to claim 1, characterized in that, In step 4, the ultrasonic time is 10 min to 40 min, and the soaking time is 5 min to 15 min.
5. A solar-powered wastewater evaporation processor, prepared using the method described in any one of claims 1 to 4.
6. A solar-powered wastewater evaporator processor for use in seawater desalination, textile wastewater degradation, and pretreatment of industrial wastewater containing heavy metal ions.